2017 Advent and Christmas at Park Road

Theme: A Season of Simple Gifts

Sunday, November 26 – Chrismon Making Party, 6p

Each year a huge tree is placed in the Park Road Church sanctuary. It’s not a Christmas Tree. It’s a Chrismon Tree. Every ornament that hangs on that gorgeous tree is a symbol of Christ. Over the years, our Chrismons have broken and many are looking pretty tattered so we need some new ones.

Amy Jacks Dean is co-hosting a Chrismon-making party with Karen Boykin Burgess and Allyson Randolph Neeriemer on Sunday, November 26 at 6:00p at the Dean's house. Bring an appetizer to share, and we will make that our dinner while we work!All the patterns and supplies will be there set up in stations all over the Dean's house and garage. We are inviting women of all ages to help us make our Chrismon tree the most beautiful one ever!

It will be a perfect way to end your Thanksgiving weekend by helping the church get ready for Advent!

Friday, December 1 – Fun Food Friday, 11:00a-1:30p

Seniors Adults are invited to join us for a trip to Fort Mill for lunch at Captain Steve’s Fish Camp.

Saturday, December 2 – Decoration Day

Please join us for a really fun day of fellowship and work as we make the church ready for the Advent/Christmas season. Men meet at the Golden Corral on South Boulevard at 7:30a before going in search of the great Chrismon tree. Women gather at the Charlotte Café at 8:30a. Everyone should converge in the sanctuary about 9:00a.

Sunday, December 3 - Advent I. Simple Gifts: Light

Advent Theme “Simple Gifts”: Especially during the holiday season, many of us live with layers of activity and commitments and needs. Our theme will give us a chance to explore what it means to live with spiritual focus and intention. Each week explores a simple gift and the practical and theological ways all of these sustain us during Advent.

Sunday, December 3 - A Family ADVENT-ure, 5:00-6:30p

Amy will host a time for parents to be creative with children in preparing for Christmas – which is what the season of Advent is all about. Each family will make an Advent wreath to take home with a guide for how to talk to children about Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each family will make a nativity scene – out of rocks!! Each family will make a “popsicle jar” of ideas of things to do throughout December that will bring the family together AND do kind things for others. There will be a few other surprises in store as well. Each family will have a table with all of the supplies provided and instructions for these simple activities that will, hopefully, make the Advent season a rich season for each family. We will also all work together to make a banner for this year’s Advent theme that we can use throughout the season at church.

Joey will lead this annual tradition for Queens. He has invited us to join him.

Tuesday, December 5. “Light Up a Life” Service, 6:30p

Again this year we will host and share with Hospice of Charlotte in this annual service of remembrance and thanksgiving, even as we grieve the loss of our loved ones. Join with us to remember your loved ones or to support those who grieve during this festive season.

Wednesday, December 6. Christmas Banquet, 5:30p

Our children will sing as we begin this night, but we have again invited the jazz band from Myers Park High School. We’ll feast together at 5:30p on good food and on good music (beginning at 6:30p) in this annual tradition.

Saturday, December 9. Youth Progressive Dinner, 5:30p

This annual tradition is one of the best of the year. With appetizers at the Davis’s, the entree at the Knight’s, and dessert at the Neeriemer’s, it’ll be a great night together!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 – MEN’S SHELTER OF CHARLOTTE LUNCH

Park Road Baptist members coordinate and serve a meal every other month on Saturdays at the Uptown Men’s Shelter. Volunteers are needed to coordinate meals, purchase food, and serve. A great opportunity for families to volunteer together. The shelter is located at 1210 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206. Sign up to help here.

Saturday, December 9. Room in the Inn. 6:00p

Volunteers are needed to drive, serve as dinner and overnight hosts, and prepare grab-and-go breakfasts and sack lunches.

Sunday, December 10. Advent II. Simple Gifts: Food

Friday, December 10. Deacon Christmas Party, 7:00p

Thursday, December 14. Senior Drop in at the Heaton’s house, 11:00a-1:00p

Thursday, December 14. Sedgefield Elementary, 2:30p

We have been invited to attend Sedgefield’s monthly staff meeting to talk about our involvement at the school. All who have volunteered this year are invited to join us. We will present the staff with small gifts from Park Road.

FRiday, December 15. A Festival of Simple Gifts, 5:00p

The evening will begin as we enjoy a meal together and then an exciting variety of activities is planned for all ages! We will be preparing meals, packing food, writing cards, caroling and more – simple gifts for our neighbors at Room in the Inn, Charlotte Family Housing, and Sedgefield Elementary!

Sunday, December 17. Advent III. Simple Gifts: Music

Our sanctuary choir will be presenting a service of Lessons and Carols, with the choir from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and members of the Charlotte Symphony. Musical selections and scripture readings will tell the story of the birth of Jesus featuring the music of Vivaldi, Handel, Saint-Saens, and others. Members from St. Luke’s will worship with us at 11:00a – and we have been invited to join them at 8:30a for their early service, with communion.

Sunday, December 17. Church-wide Drop-in at the Deans’ house, 6:00-8:00p

Thursday, December 21.Very Special People Christmas Lunch, 12:00p

Saturday, December 23. Room in the Inn, 6:00p

Volunteers are needed to drive, serve as dinner and overnight hosts, and prepare grab-and-go breakfasts and sack lunches.